Waller versus Webster
Published: 01 Apr 2016
One for the battlers - Pat Webster's Happy Clapper is one of the main threats to glamour mare Winx
The beauty of handicap racing is that it pits the champions of the turf against the battlers from small stables. While the Sires', TJ Smith and Derby will be won by the best horse on the day, the Doncaster Mile is all about which horse can produce their best ever performance.
Why is that? Well each galloper carries a weight designed to slow them down to the rest of the field, and for the lesser horses on low weights, it can make all the difference.
This year's 'David versus Goliath' tale is that of Australia's premier trainer Chris Waller against Pat Webster, the man with one good horse.
Waller's superstar WINX is short odds to take out the Doncaster mile, but HAPPY CLAPPER is hanging around in betting markets at around 10/1. Surely after she beat him by 5 lengths last start in the George Ryder Stakes it's an open and shut case?
We try and work out who should be the most confident on Saturday.
Webster's betting on..
Weight
There are a couple of weight turnarounds that will help HAPPY CLAPPER, including a massive 8kg in his favour after losing to WINX in the George Ryder Stakes by 5.2 lengths.
Looking back to his first-up run behind KERMADEC, he gets a 6.5kg switch his way after getting beaten less than a length!
That change in handicap could be enough to close the gap between them and even see him win!
The Randwick Mile
The term "horses for courses" didn't come from nowhere, some horses are born to race on certain tracks. HAPPY CLAPPER is a big strong galloper that loves the wide open spaces and high pressure racing at Randwick.
Just coming back to the scene of his Villiers Stakes victory could see him find a length or two.
"The question is how much faster can Happy Clapper go now that he’s dropping 8.5kg off when they last met.”
Pat Webster, trainer of Happy Clapper
Waller's betting on..
Untapped Potential
It sounds odd to say about a horse that's already rated as Australia's best, but the truth is we don't know how good she is still. Even Waller is excited to use the Doncaster's handicap coniditions to find out how far her freakish ability can extend. They just haven't touched her in recent starts!
History
Only one older horse (four years or more) has won the Doncaster carrying less than 52kg in the last 20 years, Gai Waterhouse's Grand Armee. When the Group One prizes are on offer, the class often rises to the top!
“If Winx does get beaten it is a not a blight on her. This is a handicap and it brings all of them to an equal (level).’’
Debbie Kepitis, part-owner of Winx
Who are you betting on..?
WINX $1.90 or HAPPY CLAPPER $12
click to bet and check out the full Doncaster market here
Strong connections - Waller and Bowman team up again to try and guide Winx home